News

Education Foundation announces Hall of Fame inductees

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 8, 2022

The Henderson County Education Foundation announced the recipients of the 2022 Education Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

Each year, individuals who have demonstrated measurable influence or made significant contributions to the growth and development of education in Henderson County are honored with the Hall of Fame Award.

Since 2003, the Henderson County Education Foundation has honored more than 135 teachers, administrators, support staff, school board members and donors with induction into the Hall. One of only five education halls of fame in North Carolina, the HCEF Hall of Fame provides an opportunity for special recognition of the men and women who have led Henderson County’s focus on educational excellence for decades. Members of the Hall are honored in a display at the Central Office of the Henderson County Public Schools, at 414 4th Avenue West. The “Wall of Fame” is open to the public during regular business hours.

This year’s inductees are:
Barbara Blaine: Served Henderson County Public Schools from 1984 to 2012.
From 1984 to 1988, served as a teacher’s assistant at Balfour Elementary. In 1988 moved by s Superintendent Glenn Marlow into the central office as administrative assistant to the Director of Secondary Education. In 1992, served as administrative assistant to Superintendent Dr. Dan Lunsford, Henderson County Board of Education, and Interim Board of Public Education prior to the 1993 merger of city and county school systems.
From 1993 to 1998, was the administrative assistant to Superintendent Lunsford and Henderson County Board of Public Education. From 1998 to 2004, served as administrative assistant to Superintendents Dr. Frank Yeager, Dr. Tom Burnham, and the School Board.
From 2004 to 2012, served as Executive Administrative Assistant to Superintendents Dr. Stephen Page, David Jones, and the School Board. Inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Society, Alpha Rho Upsilon Chapter, Blue Ridge Community College in 1990.
In 1995, declared as a Certified Educational Office Employee by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals. In 1997, named District I Educational Office Professional of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals.
In 1998, awarded Associate in Applied Science (Business Administration), Blue Ridge Community College.
From 2012 to 2015, served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Henderson County Education History Initiative (HCEHI) Steering Committee. From 2021 to the present, serves as the chairperson of the HCEHI Preservation Room and also volunteers. Lifetime member of the Henderson County Education Foundation. Member of the National Education Association, the North Carolina Association of Educators, and Henderson County Retired School Personnel.

Dorothy “Dot” Case: Served as a teacher in Henderson County Public Schools for nearly half a century, from 1969 until her retirement in 2016.
Taught social studies/history at Edneyville High School until it closed in the spring of 1993.
Taught at North Henderson High School until her retirement.
Currently serving her first term as a member of the Henderson County Board of Education.
Recognized as the Henderson County Teacher of the Year in 1982 and 2009-10, and Western North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 2010. She also served as a member of Gov. Pat McCrory'sTeacher Advisory Board from 2014 to 2016.
In her teaching capacity, she organized Student Government, Proms, and
Graduation activities, and also wrote Christmas plays.
Represented Henderson County on multiple regional and state advisory
committees. Provided beginning teacher support through her sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma.
Known by her former students and colleagues as a master teacher.

David Jones: Began teaching career at East Flat Rock Elementary in 1978. Teacher and coach at Edneyville High School from 1981-1988. Led Edneyville to back-to-back state boys basketball championships, winning a state championship in 1984 and finishing state runner-up in 1985.
Served as assistant principal at Rugby Junior High School from 1988-1990 and as Principal at Flat Rock Junior High / Middle School from 1990-1997, leading the school’s transition from a junior high to the new middle school model in 1993.
Promoted to Director of Testing & Accountability with the Central Office in 1997. Promoted often, serving as Director of Facility Management, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, and Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services.
Named HCPS superintendent in 2010, where he served until his retirement in 2016.
Numerous honors including 2014 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Superintendent of the Year, 2012 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year for the NC School-Community Health Alliance, 2007 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Merit Award, Henderson County Principal of the Year - 1994, 1991 North Carolina Education Certificate of Appreciation, Governor James G. Martin Exceptional leadership skills. Believed in doing what was right and setting high expectations.

Mary Martin: Served for 31 years as an Exceptional Children's Teacher (1979-2010 at Rugby Middle School, Hendersonville High School, and North Henderson High School. Taught Special Education to middle and high school students with a variety of needs.
Mentored new teachers, student teachers, and high school students seeking future employment in the education field. Served as Director of Special Olympics, (1993-2002), organizing the spring games and coaching several teams. A faithful volunteer at Bullington Gardens, 2001-present. Created a partnership there for high school students in the OCS program to volunteer in the garden’s BOOST program.
Developed summer camps for students with special needs and is the creative director of the current Fairy Trail. It was not uncommon to see Mary picking up trash, sweeping halls, planting flowers, and working with students to support the school and build community.
A true definition of grace, patience, and love. A life-long advocate for her students and community. Continues to volunteer, support, mentor, and love her people.

Ruby Lewis McClung: Served as an elementary and junior high school teacher from 1983-to 2009.
Taught Language Arts and Math at Rugby Junior High from 1983-1992.
She became chairperson of the math department and sponsor of the Trivia Quiz Bowl, Math Counts team, and the National Honor Society.
Taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade at Mills River Elementary from 1992-2009.
Was a consistent member of School Improvement Teams, led as Grade Level Chair, and also taught content area mathematics for Blue Ridge Community College in the evenings.
Served on the advisory board of Historic Johnson Farm
Recognized as an Outstanding Educator in North Carolina in 1988 and was selected as the Henderson County Teacher of the Year 1989-90.
Obtained her National Board Certification while working with elementary students.
Following retirement, served as a volunteer tutor for Mills River Elementary School at her church, and also for the Literacy Council. Known by her colleagues as the “consummate team player.”

The inductees will be honored at the 20th annual Education Celebration, presented by AdventHealth Hendersonville, on April 26, at Jeter Mountain Farm. In addition to celebrating the newest slate of inductees, Henderson County’s Principal of the Year, 2021, and the 2021 Teachers of the Year will also be honored. A reception will begin at 5:30 pm with dinner and a program to follow at 6 p.m. Education Celebration tickets can be purchased online at hcefnc.org/events/educationcelebration To make a financial contribution to HCEF honoring one of the 2022 Inductees, visit hcefnc.org/2022hof.